WAYANAD/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Babu might have made the ultimate, though eventually fruitless, sacrifice while trying to save Rahoof from drowning at the Banasurasagar reservoir. But the 26-year-old, a member of the Kattunaicker tribe, underlined the belief - willingness to help the distressed is still burning among us.
It is an important, socially relevant message. Recently, we have seen some persons trying to dilute the sacrifice Noushad, an autorickshaw driver in Kozhikode, made while trying to rescue migrant workers from a manhole. And Babu told the world through his unselfishness that such dimwitted acts cannot douse the fire of kindness in human heart.
Rahoof, 24, son of Mammootty of Pathayakodan house in Chennalode had entered the dam with his friends for bathing. But he drowned while trying to swim in the deep water.
Babu, who was working as a cleaner in an earthmover at a private resort nearby, put his own life at risk and tried to save Rahoof, jumping into the water after hearing rescue calls from Rahoof’s friends.
He never came back alive.
“He has set an example by sacrificing his life. It is important to honour him by providing financial assistance to his mourning family,” said P T Biju, the DYFI district secretary. Vasu and Anitha, residents of Ambedkar colony in Naripara in Padinjaratha, will not see their son again. Anil, Bavitha, Sajitha and Saritha will not see their brother again.
But they can be proud of him forever for the message he left for the world.
Rs 10 Lakh for Babu’s family
The state government on Thursday announced a solatium of Rs 10 lakh to the family of Babu, who drowned in the Banasura Sagar reservoir while trying to rescue Rouf. The government has also announced `2 lakh to the family of Rouf, informed Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.